A paved road to Col de la Platriere in the French Alps

A paved road to Col de la Platriere in the French Alps

France, europe

Length

23.6 km

Elevation

2,220 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Col de la Platrière

Sitting pretty at 2,220 meters (7,283 feet) in France's Hautes-Alpes department, Col de la Platrière is a serious Alpine adventure. You'll find it just 2.5 kilometers south of the legendary Col d'Izoard in the southeastern corner of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

The 23.6-kilometer (14.66-mile) route along D902 connects Arvieux to Cervières with relentless switchbacks and narrow stretches that'll keep you on your toes. This isn't a casual drive—expect gradients hitting 12% and some genuinely exposed sections with stomach-dropping drop-offs. But here's the thing: it's completely paved, and the whole road is a Tour de France favorite for good reason.

Once you reach the summit, there's a small parking area and the stunning Casse Deserte landscape. Definitely take those few extra minutes to hike up to the orientation boards for some seriously epic views across the Alps. Whether you're a cycling enthusiast chasing Tour de France history or just a road-tripping adrenaline junkie, this pass delivers the high-altitude Alpine experience you're after.

Where is it?

A paved road to Col de la Platriere in the French Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.3739, 3.7007

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Road Details

Country
France
Continent
europe
Length
23.6 km
Max Elevation
2,220 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
45.3739, 3.7007

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A paved road to Col de la Platriere in the French Alps - France - RoadScout